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    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Television»Kids TV
    Kids TV TV Shows - 1970s TV Shows - 1980s 3 Mins Read

    Rentaghost

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    1 9 7 6 – 1 9 8 4 (UK)
    58 x 25 minute episodes

    Rentaghost was a British children’s stalwart for many years, running for nearly sixty episodes from 1975 to 1984.

    Harold and Ethel Meaker lived in South Ealing and ran ‘Rentaghost’ where – as the name suggests – they rented ghosts out to the public.

    Harold Meaker (Edward Brayshaw) had originally been the spooks’ landlord but took over the business when recently deceased ghost Fred Mumford (Anthony Jackson) couldn’t keep up with the rent.

    Harold’s wife, Ethel (Ann Emery), also fancied herself as a bit of a singer.

    Their plans always went very, very wrong, with hair-raising slapstick consequences. Like people turning into Batman. Or falling asleep.

    The joke book humour flew thick and fast, often followed by lines like “Thank you for resurrecting that joke for its fiftieth birthday!” delivered straight to camera.

    rentaghost_753

    Over the years many ghosts came and went but the main Rentaghost crew comprised; Timothy Claypole (Michael Staniforth) – A jester at the court of Queen Matilda, the Dreaded Tyrant of the Twelfth Century, Hazel McWitch (Molly Weir) – The ghost of a Scottish witch, Nadia Popov (Sue Nicholls) – Audrey Roberts from Coronation Street affecting a cod Russian accent, Fred Mumford – who had originally founded ‘Rentaghost’ after becoming a ghost after he fell from a Cross-Channel ferry six months previously, and Hubert Davenport (Michael Darbyshire) – A distinguished Victorian gentleman.

    Later episodes had a dully pantomimic quality (greatly enhanced by the presence of an actual pantomime horse as a regular character) and routinely ended in gleeful chaos around a rueful Meaker.

    The Meaker’s next-door neighbours, Rose and Arthur Perkins (Hal Dyer and Jeffrey Segal), were convinced that the Meaker’s were a pair of nutters and hired a private detective and tried to get a psychiatrist to convince them that they needed treatment.

    Actor Michael Staniforth also wrote and performed the unforgettable theme tune. His original song had to be re-written as concern grew that it was too close to The Exorcist.

    Lynda Marchal (who played Tamara Novek) achieved greater fame and fortune as a writer . . . under the name Lynda La Plante.

    Molly Weir died in November 2004 aged 94.

    Timothy Claypole 
    Michael Staniforth
    Harold Meaker

    Edward Brayshaw
    Ethel Meaker

    Ann Emery
    Fred Mumford
    Anthony Jackson
    Hubert Davenport

    Michael Darbyshire
    Hazel McWitch

    Molly Weir
    Nadia Popov
    Sue Nicholls
    Adam Painting

    Christopher Biggins
    Rose Perkins

    Hal Dyer
    Arthur Perkins

    Jeffrey Segal
    Mrs Mumford
    Betty Alberge
    Mr Mumford

    John Dawson
    Maltby
    Ian Collier
    Mama Davenport

    Elisabeth Day
    Tamara Novek

    Lynda Marchal
    Pantomime Horse
    William Perrie
    John Asquith
    Whatsisname Smith

    Kenneth Connor
    Catastrophe Kate

    Jana Sheldon
    Suzi Starlight

    Aimi MacDonald
    Bernie St John

    Vincent White
    Aunt Mable

    Patsy Smart

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